Colleen “Cee” Segarra is the 2009 recipient of the New York State Horse Council Horseperson of the Year Award. Cee who runs the Equine Rescue Resource Center has worked with horses intermittently since childhood. She started in the NYC public stables for the first several years as employee of the Park Riding Academy and Happy Trails Riding Stables. She also worked as a summer intern at a NYS horse farm during her agricultural education. She has also been a horse owner in a boarding situation for a period of 12+ years. Cee currently owns a small farm and runs a small rescue/rehab/rehoming program.
She has extensively studied the horse auction and slaughter industry. Cee previously worked with several equine welfare organizations in various volunteer capacities and then became the Humane Chair of the New York State Horse Council. In that capacity she has been involved in a number of high profile abuse cases, in most cases involving large numbers of horses. In each and every case her professionalism has shown through with the guilty parties receiving their just desserts and the horse being successfully adopted out to new and loving homes. She has single handedly been the conscience of the Horse Council and its board, hence the “thorn in the side” comment. But contrary to that opinion her dedication, enthusiasm and positive results have always shown her to be a true professional. In fact, she had made such an impression on the board that she was recently made a Director.
Her latest story is that of “Good Will Hunter” which is told elsewhere in the newsletter, but a short synopsis is as follows: Will was removed from Center Brook Farm, in Climax, New York along with his mother, a 12 year old mare named Hunters Circle. The owner, Ernest Paragallo, was arrested on Friday, April 10, 2009 and charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty, pursuant to New York State Ag and Markets law, Article 26, for failure to provide food, water and sustenance. Good Will Hunter was transported to Cornell University on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 and hospitalized. At this time he underwent diagnostic testing and evaluations. This thoroughbred yearling colt weighed in at 364 pounds when checked in. He had endured long term neglect.
Will returned to Cornell for his 3rd evaluation September 16, 2009 with Dr. Mitchell and the surgeons and specialists at Cornell. The little guy weighed in at 784 pounds! That is a far cry from the 364 pounds he weighed in April 2009. He was then settled in to a holding stall, where his physical exam began. His heart rate is still elevated and he will need to be monitored, but for now, we are thinking it may be some scarring in/around the heart that is causing this, and it’s “his normal”. Samples were taken for a complete lab work up. They were very pleased with his overall condition and noted that he does have one small scar on his back. It was also noted that his body was growing more rapidly than his legs and feet. His diet has once again been modified to help level out his growth and development. The surgeons and lameness specialists were very pleased with him. His legs have straightened; he is sound now and should be fine for riding once he has matured. His turnout is no longer restricted and he is now free to be turned out with the big boys! It was mentioned that had they not known him and his history, they would not have thought anything was ever wrong with him. Please read the whole story later in the Newsletter.
Organizations that Cee is active in include NYSHC, Chair, And Humane
Committee. Orange County Horse Council, Director. Equine Rescue
Resource Inc., President. New York Southern Tier Quarter Horse
Association, Member. Spirit Horse Foundation, Director.
Cee is a great young lady and a deserving recipient.